A tightly-wound ribbon ready to be cut on the revitalized basketball court in the Hartranft neighborhood of Philadelphia.

Images from inside the art exhibit commemorating the significance of the Hartranft court.

It wasn’t a restoration, rehabilitation, or recreation.

World B. Free, along with leading figures involved in the Hartranft court revitalization project, prepare for Thursday’s ribbon cutting, handled by Darrell Clarke, and Chris Heck (center).

Thursday’s uplifting, spirited event on the previously unfurnished playground adjacent to John F. Hartranft School in North Philadelphia was – in the truest sense – a revival.

After experiencing its fair share of ups and downs, frustrations, and pain in recent years, the proud, resilient Hartranft community got to celebrate the anticipated ribbon-cutting of a fresh, new basketball court, located between 7th and 9th Streets, on Cumberland Street.

The completion of the project was long in the making, and involved numerous local organizations, artists, government officials, and community members working together with collaborative determination.

It also represented the first official outdoor court revitalization initiative spearheaded by the Sixers Youth Foundation, the non-profit charitable arm of the 76ers.

The fittingly warm, sunny afternoon began with a series of speeches inside an old row home tucked behind the original Breyer’s Ice Cream Co. headquarters, just a block away from the revitalized court. The building was converted into an art exhibit commissioned by local non-profit organization Village Arts, and showcased the historical importance of the Hartranft court and neighborhood.

Once Thursday’s speakers were finished with their remarks, the group made the short walk over to the Hartranft court for the ribbon cutting itself.

Afterwards, Brand, a former no. 1 draft pick, Rookie of the Year, and two-time All-Star, addressed attendees gathered around the playground.

“I never had a court this nice,” said the former Sixer, who had two stints with the team during his playing days, “but I know what a nice court means.”

Hartranft kids had the chance to play Thursday on their brand new court.

The rest of Thursday was spent appropriately, with the long-awaited Hartranft court being put to good use. Franklin and the Sixers Dunk Squad got the crowd going, and later on, kids took part in an on-court scrimmage.

For a community that continues to make a committed push towards a promising evolution, Thursday’s festivities represented a well-earned feel-good moment.

Photographs taken by Lee Cary.

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